Georgia Power base rates stay the same for 3 years

ATLANTA - Georgia Power customers will pay the same base rate for the next 3 years.

Rates stay the same

What we know:

The Georgia Public Service Commission unanimously approved the rate freeze Tuesday after 7 hours of public testimony.

Tuesday's vote was a formality, after the PSC and Georgia Power reached a deal in May to keep the rate the same through 2027.

Part of the agreement is that Georgia Power will wait until 2026 to file for recovery of storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene, according to the commission.

Public Service Commission response

What they're saying:

"I am so glad we are able to offer rate stability to Georgia Power customers," said PSC Chairman Jason Shaw. "Customers have seen unprecedented inflation in the energy sector across the U.S. My fellow commissioners and I urged staff and Georgia Power to come to some agreement where base rates would not increase. This is nothing but good news for Georgia Power ratepayers."

Other commission members agreed with the chairman.

The commissions vice chair, Tim Echols, said the commission won't look at another rate hike until 2028. "Having your base rates frozen really protects you against any kind of inflation or volatility," he said.

Customers happy about the pause

What they're saying:

FOX 5 spoke to multiple Georgia Power customers who say the plan will help them out. 

Rodney Joiner pays about $324 a month for power. "That’s a lot of money," he said. "The regular consumer is already taking a hit with the economy already."

"It helps us budget for the next three years," said Kytee Doyle, who pays around $200 a month for electricity. "I guess it’s good news."

Possible loophole?

What they're saying:

Georgia WAND, a non-profit focused on social and racial equity, said the freeze might give Georgia Power a loophole to raise rates without customer input. 

Kimberly Scott Cook, executive director of WAND, said the power company can ask to raise the rate to recover from natural disasters, like Hurricane Helene. Since the base rate won't change, the commission doesn't have to have hearings. 

"We don’t have the oversight now without having that rate-case hearing," said Cook. 

But Echols said she's wrong. "There’s no loophole," he said. "Locking in the base rates, the biggest part of bill, that’s meaningful."

Public Service Commission election

What's next:

There is a Public Service Commission election this year.

A runoff primary election between former Atlanta City Council member Keisha Waites and Peter Hubbard is scheduled for July 15.

The general election is scheduled for November.

Dig deeper:

The Georgia Public Service Commission is the body elected statewide that regulates utilities such as gas and electricity. It has power over what Georgia Power, the state's largest electric provider, can charge customers for electricity.